Tuesday, November 15, 2011

How Did I End Up Here?

I.am.alive.

Sure, it's been forever since I posted.  The last couple of months I've been bouncing around all over the place.  Some weeks I do well with my eating & exercise.  Some weeks, I don't.  Mostly don't.  Some days I do well.  Mostly, I don't.  It's pretty ridiculous.  I'm not sure what set me off, but, I've been thinking about it.  I think it was vacation.  If I have to blame anything, I'd blame that.  My hubby & I went on a little anniversary getaway in August, and I think that's when things started snowballing.  I let things slide.  Then about a month later, we went with friends to Washington, D.C.  I threw all caution to the wind.  Annnnnd since then, it's been completely hit or miss.  Mostly miss.

I can't seem to gain control.  At all.  Every morning, I wake up and think, "I've got this.  Today is different."  Then it's the same.  Plans change.  I'm weak.  I give in.  I eat too much.  I don't exercise.

I keep thinking about the upcoming holidays.  'Tis the season.  I know if I don't get a handle on things, I will end up way heavier than I am now.  Let's just say...I have been on the scale lately.  It's not pretty.  I'm probably up about 10 pounds.  Stupid.

My eating is not the only thing that's suffering.  I haven't been working out much, either.  I'm averaging twice a week.  Not enough.  I just need to amp up everything.  I need a plan.  As Phoebe on Friends says in one episode..."I don't even have a 'pluh'."  I really don't.  I need to work on that this week.

I wish it were easy.  I wish this post was "positive."  I've been wanting to post for some time, but I just haven't had anything to report.  I hope all of you are doing well, though.  I miss posting.  I just wanted to let you know you shouldn't count me out yet.  I'm NOT done yet.


Monday, August 8, 2011

Weigh-In | 8.8.11

Hold the phone.....yes...I'm posting on time for once!

I've sat down and made it a priority.

One strange fact to note about this:  I'm NOT down.  I'm actually up.  Yeah, I know.

I'm actually up a total of 3 pounds from my weigh-in 2 weeks ago.  C'est la vie.  I was a pig this weekend.  Admitted.  Caution to the wind..........ate what I felt like....and that was that.  Chinese (twice).  Movie theater popcorn.  Chicken fingers & fries.  Cheese dip & chips.  Yep.  IDIOT!

Done.  Moving on.  It doesn't matter.  The only thing that matters now - is what I do from here on out. 
Today went pretty well - despite poor planning.  I didn't have time to pack a lunch, but - I did ok on the fly.  I was under my calories today....even more after Turbo.  I just have to keep the ball rolling. 

Next week, a loss will be recorded.  Mark my words. :)

Have a great week!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Weigh-In | 8.1.11

So, it's Thursday already?!  Where does time go?

Yep...once again, life has got in the way (I almost typed "weigh." - Ha!). 
This week....................................I was up.  To be honest, I was surprised.  It wasn't a perfect week - but, hey - it wasn't bad, either - by any means.  I was only up by just over a 1/2 lb. (.6).  Still yet - it was up.
Being up ALWAYS throws me off.  Especially when it comes to blogging.  Hate that.  I've meant to do it.....but, just haven't really got around to it. 

However, here I am...blogging about it anyway.  I've been doing ok this week.  I've felt a little under the weather.  As of now - I've done 4 workouts in 4 days....with tonight's Turbo Kick class making 5!  I took two Turbo Kick classes on Tuesday!  That was pretty tough - but, my SIL just added a 2nd class to Tuesday nights.  It was an off night for me....I wasn't feeling great, so I didn't put my all in it.  I was seriously expecting to burn over 1,000 calories, but came out just under (964, I believe).  It was still a great burn!

On Sunday I started the Couch To 5K program again.  If you've been reading a while, you know I've already completed this - and may wonder why.  Well, I've been trying to come up with a good way to increase my speed.  I thought that if I go through the program again - running at a higher speed, it should get me all prepped to improve my time at the Prevent Cancer 5K in September.  What do you think?  Think it will work?  I've only completed one workout this week, but I'm planning to finish them on time.  Even if I have to run all weekend!  Ha!  I really felt that workout on Sunday.  It wasn't hard for me, but I really felt that run in my hips the next couple of days!  It does feel good to push yourself! 

Well, that's about all the time I have today.... I hope your week is going well, wherever you are! :)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Weigh-In | 7.25.11

I LOVE losing weight! :)

Yep...I lost again this week!  Score!  It feels amazing! :)

To be honest, I wasn't sure what the scale was going to say today.  I figured I would be down, but I wasn't expecting a 2 pound loss!  This past week was a little tough.  As I mentioned last week - I had Vacation Bible School at church, and it was harder to get those workouts in - as well as eat "right."  Fortunately, since the theme was "Fit For Jesus," we had a lot of healthy snacks around.  It was still kinda rough, though.  Most nights, the snacks weren't enough - and I didn't feel like cooking anything when I got home.  So, I had some random fast food for dinner.. 

Also, on Saturday - I had great intentions of working out, BUT, I vegged out on the couch all day!  To be quite honest - it was amazing.  I wasted away a whole Saturday, though!  I hate that!  I didn't eat very well that day, either.  Oh well... I made up for a couple workouts yesterday.  I worked out for almost 3 hours and burned 1502 calories.. :)  I'm feeling that today!  I love it!

I've really been noticing some results of my hard work lately....and it's super-encouraging!  I haven't been getting that for a long time!  I'm really hoping this weight will just keep rolling off.  In the past, I've always got stuck around the 250s....and then it starts coming off faster.  I don't know what happens there....?  So here we go....I'm rockin' this.... I'm excited - and ready to keep moving forward... I'm only 7 pounds away from my wedding weight!  It's taking a long time, but, I'm getting there!  In just a little over 2 weeks - I will hit the 1 year mark on my journey.  In some ways, time has flown by - but then again - it's dragged at points......

I'm gonna try super-hard to meet that wedding weight goal by then!  :) 

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Weigh-In | 7.18.11

Ok, so my post is still late, BUT, I'm improving.  Early a.m. Tuesday is waaaay better than late Wednesday. :)  I had this crazy coughing fit this morning, and couldn't get back to sleep....soo...here goes nothing!

Soooo, guess who had an AMAZING week?  ME! :)  No beating around the bush....no making excuses this week (not that I would ever do that...).  I did what I was supposed to do last week.  I ate very well and I worked out 6 days!  YES!  The fruits of my labor?  FOUR.POINT.FOUR.POUNDS.  BONUS!  :)

So, I'm pretty stinkin' happy about that.  I Turbo Kicked, walked, ran, played volleyball, swam & even danced a little.......yeah - I did a lot last week!  This week I've set out to be just as successful.  It's hard, though.  It's extremely easy to fall back into old patterns.  I did really well all day yesterday....but had a slight mishap with a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the evening.  I wanted something sweet.  I was eating the stuff dry out of the box.  Annnnd I ate a bunch of it.  I wasn't hungry.  I just enjoyed the taste of it.  Stupid.  I finally had to make myself put the stuff away!  It was odd.  I've been trying hard to pay close attention to when I'm hungry and when I'm not.  Yesterday afternoon at work - I hit that 3pm slump.....and I really, really wanted a Reese cup.  I didn't get one, though.  I wasn't hungry.  I ended up trying to curb the craving with a diet Dr. Pepper.  I don't drink much soda, but, this seemed to help.

One thing that has really helped this week - was getting a new friend involved in my journey.  I've been talking with my new friend from church, Sarah about fitness.......and we've got this kinda cool "accountability" thing going on.  She's signed up on MyFitnessPal, and we've been texting about this kinda stuff.  We've started sending random pics of what we're eating.....or just talking about it.  We're not judgmental or critical of each other....it's just some extra support.  It's nice to know someone else is in this with me.  :)  She rocks!

Oh....and this week is gonna be pretty fun!  Later this week is Vacation Bible School at my church.  Wanna know what the theme is?  Fitness.  Healthy Lifestyle.  YEAH!  It's called "Fit For Jesus."  The church has developed the program themselves & we're excited about it!  I think it's awesome to be teaching children about living a healthy lifestyle at an early age!  Add Jesus into that mix....AMAZING.  Sarah & myself are both involved in the worship part of VBS - so we'll be onstage singing & dancing this week.  I'm still laughing about getting myself into this.......I'm so not a dancer.   However, I'm doing it - and I'm hoping to just be silly with it and burn some extra calories this week!

Well friends, I hope you all have a great week! 

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Weigh-In | 7.11.11

Blah.  Where does time go? :( 

Once again, I find myself apologizing for a late post.  This week is flying by.

So ok...I didn't hold onto the loss I was expecting.  In fact,  I was up.  Seriously? *sigh*
Not a great way to start the week.  Oh well. 

It was just 1.4 lbs.  Nothing horrible.  Actually, this morning I stepped on the scale and was pleased.  I was down.  So, things are looking up.  Or should I say down?  Haha.

That's all I have time for today.  I hope you're all having a good week! :)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Absence...

How's it going over here, friends?

Please again excuse my absence lately.... *sigh* 
I have a hard time staying focused......plus I've been busy lately.  I jump on and off the fitness bandwagon.  I'll have one FABULOUS week, and then BAM, something stupid will happen - and I'm smack in the middle of a mediocre week.  I've just been coasting along the last week or so......but I'm still down.  On Monday, I found myself up 1.2 lbs.  However, I saw a low number I really liked this morning - annnnd I'm hoping to hold onto it until Monday. :)   We'll see.

Today I did something outside my regular routine!  I played some Corporate Cup softball!  Good stuff!  I was all prepared for a long day of softball as usual - but we were shut down by 4pm!  Bummer!  I was all ready with my Bodybugg - hoping for a HUGE burn, and I did get a good one - but just not as big as I anticipated.  In 5 hours (really three 1 hour games) I burned 1,337 calories.  Not too shabby!

In the last couple of days I realized It's been 2 weeks since I last ran!  What's with that?  I need to get back out there!  My left knee has been giving me some issues - but it's probably not a valid excuse.  The biggest issue has been time management....  The hour-long Bridge to 10K workouts have been hard to work into my week.  I've had some random things thrown into my schedule lately.  I really wish I could work out in the mornings.  That's soo hard for me!  I'll get back out there - probably tomorrow.  I'm having some thoughts of actually going back to Couch to 5K and working on speed.  They're shorter workouts.  The truth is - I can run 10K.  I don't really feel like I "need" to go through the program - I did it mainly for the challenge.  I don't typically run that far....but I can.  I'm just not sure yet.

I'm really going to work hard next week.  I've been thinking about my blog and how I can better use it to meet my weight-loss goals.  I promise to kick it into high gear and start blogging more!  And soon!

Take care!  :)





Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I'm Alive! :)

No, seriously....I am.  I know it's been a while. 
But I am alive and well - and doing just fine, thank you!

Can I just say - I have some awesome followers?  Several of you have checked on me...some more than once.  It really meant a lot to me that you care that much about a person you've never actually met!  Thank you so, so, so much! :)

The last month or so has been tough on me.  Only in the weight-loss realm.  I just haven't had my head in the game UNTIL NOW.  I can say without a doubt....I am BACK.  I'm ready to go.  If you've connected with me on my Facebook page, you've seen a few posts that have shown that I've been gearing up.  Man, it's been hard!  Last week I increased my workouts.  This week I'm keeping up with that AND focusing more on my eating.  I probably should have worked on that first, but, this is working for me.  Yay!  I'm back on MyFitnessPal logging (skinnygirlfreed) regularly.  If any of you are on there and haven't connected with me, please do so!  I'd love to help support you! :) 

So, when I really sat down and thought about things - I realized that a) I wasn't really watching my diet that closely and b) I wasn't exercising enough!  Some weeks I was only working out 2-3 times!  Some weeks were better than others, BUT, on the average, that was it.  With my diet inconsistent, it just was not enough!  So, last week I went a little nuts.  Well, maybe.  My sister-in-law added a 3rd Turbo Kick class to her schedule...and so did I!  I also went back to running.  I had been running here and there....MAYBE once a week.  Last week I started the Bridge to 10K training program!  I thought about doing Couch to 5K again, but thought I needed something a little more challenging - and I got it!  3 days a week at about an hour a pop - is gonna make for some great workouts! I imagine this will help my endurance for my next 5K - scheduled in September. :)

So...after 6 big workouts in 5 days last week....and eating *pretty* well, I lost 3.2 lbs!  I say I ate pretty well, but there were days that definitely could have been better.  I wonder what kind of loss I would have seen if that had all lined up as well?  Oh well.  I'm super-happy with what I got.  I'm aiming this week for a better diet and the same amount of exercise.  I don't expect it to be more than 3, but, we'll see.  Hopefully I can pull off 3 again!  :)

So.....now that you guys know what's going on with me - I can't wait to go catch up on what you guys have been up to!

Let's do this! :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Weigh-In | 5.23.11


Happy Monday to you!
How many of you feel like Garfield at most weigh-ins?
Man, I know I do! 
Current weight:  255.4

So, yeah - I skipped another week.  I weighed in last Monday.  It was my husband's birthday, and I was up a few pounds.  Blogging was the last thing I wanted to do.  So I kept pushing it aside.  A week flew by. 
Today...I'm up again.  Saturday, I was down 3 pounds.  I was excited!  Two days later, up.  So frustrating!  I worked out pretty hard last week - and my eating hadn't been too bad!
I hate weight fluctuations.  I know I shouldn't weigh myself more than once a week. 
I like to know where I stand, though.  Whatever the outcome, up or down, it typically keeps me in-check. 

Honestly....my eating hasn't been totally under control.  I'm working out quite a bit, but, not enough.
I don't have the same focus I had when I started this thing.  It's constantly on my mind, though.  I've never NOT thought about my eating or exercising.  Ya know?  I'm doing enough to get by, but it's just keeping me at the same weight.  Maintaining is a good skill to learn - but at this point, I am NOT wanting to maintain.  I want to lose!  I'm so stinkin' tired of being fat!  I really need to get my food log going again.  It has been really hard to keep it going lately.  We've been really busy at work lately....which is one main reason I've been kinda lax about it.

I've been tossing around a few ideas.  I've thought of going to a monthly weigh-in.  I get kind of frustrated and don't want to blog when I'm up.  It sucks...but it's part of it.  I need to just suck it up.  I'm afraid if I don't weigh weekly - I won't blog but once a month.  Not enough.
I've also thought about keeping my weekly weigh-ins and maybe posting daily.  Maybe posting a food log?  I've wondered if it's out there for the world to see - perhaps I'll be a little more diligent?  Probably the wrong motivation.  Whatever works, though, right???

Stay tuned for a post I've wanted to do for a while.  I may buckle down and get this one done tonight.  If not tonight - expect it by the weekend.  It's an experiment of sorts.........

For now, though....I'm going to Turbo Kick!  I'll punch & kick some of this frustration.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Weigh-In | 5.9.11 & Race Review

So, as some of you may have read from my sneak peek,  I am down 3 pounds this week!  Yay!  I wasn't expecting that this morning, but there it was!  Good stuff!

This past Saturday - as you may know, I ran the Susan G. Komen "Race For The Cure" here in Charleston, WV. It was my first 5K in about 6 years.  I ran the race in memory of my Aunt Debbie.  It was a moving thing for me to write her name on the "in memory" tag and have it pinned on.  

I had trouble finding anyone from my team at work (we didn't plan that well).  I found a place closer to the back of the runners.  Or what I thought were runners.  They didn't have a clearly marked area for runners & walkers (ugh).  There were both timed runners (with bibs) and regular runners.  I was in with a bunch of people who had on bibs.  I finally spotted two runners I knew - my cousin David & his wife, Sarah!  Once we were off, we couldn't run!  We were in with walkers!  Whaaaaat!?  I crossed the start walking!!!  I was so frustrated and mad!  I knew when my foot crossed, that my time was ticking!  After a few minutes of walking, I saw some ladies running around the crowd on the other side of the boulevard.  I squished my way through a bunch of people with lots of "excuse mes" and finally started running.  Unfortunately, I adopted the mindset that I needed to make up time, sooooo I ran too fast at first.  Annnnd, I wore out rather quickly.  To be honest, before I made it to the turn around, I was already worn out.  I wanted to walk SO BAD! 
I kept telling myself I could do it...  
I kept reminding myself who I was running the race for.
That a month before - I had run 8 miles.
Surely I could make it through this!
I didn't walk.
I ran.
The whole way.
My time was 6 minutes slower than my practice (46:17). 
But, I did it!

Here are a couple other pictures from the morning:

Me, my cousin David & wife, Sarah - pre race

We ran into some others from our church post race!  Yay!  
We're actually planning to have a church team next year! :)

Moving forward... 
I am already geared up for a road trip 5K in September!  My husband & some friends are going to D.C. to participate with our friend, Jamie in the Prevent Cancer 5K!  I'm looking forward to actually training for this race.  The weather has been pitiful around here lately...so much rain!  So hopefully I can get outside even more and train, train, train for the next race!  I would LOVE to see that time down in the 30s!  Time will tell.

I'm officially motivated again.  
It's time to kick this "junk" to the curb once and for all!
I hope you all have a great week!


Weigh-In | 5.9.11 [Sneak Peek]

Down THREE POUNDS this week! :) 
Will give full update later tonight!
Annnnd a little pic to tide you over...

Monday, May 2, 2011

Weigh-In | 5.2.11

So, I guess it's time to face the music.  I'm sure some of you noticed I wasn't around last week.  I think that's only the 2nd time since last August that I've missed a weigh-in post.

I had a ridiculous week.  RIDICULOUS.

This week I am up 2.6 lbs from my last weigh-in post.  I did weigh in last week - and was up .4.  I wasn't even really annoyed or bummed about it... for whatever reason, I just ate.  And ate....and ate some more.  I thought about weight-loss.  I knew what I was doing the whole entire time I was eating last week. 

As the week came to a close - I knew today was going to be tough.  I will honestly say that the thought of ending this blog crossed my mind.  I thought of deleting my Skinny Girl Facebook page.  It gets tough to share all this stuff on here.  These weeks especially.  NO ONE likes to admit failure.  I've become a little bored with the whole thing........ even though I have a couple of new ideas for it........ time gets in the way....it's hard!  I never had any real thoughts about quitting my weight-loss journey - which is great, right!?  I guess it's just the work that goes into keeping this up. 

On a positive note, I did work out last week.  Things could have been way worse than they are.  I did Turbo Kick twice last week, I ran & walked... I think I got in 3 great workouts - and a couple little ones.

This week is going to be big....this coming Saturday I am running my first 5K in 6 years.  I'm not really nervous.  I KNOW I can do it.  If I can run 8 miles....I can definitely run 3!  I'm a little concerned, though - because the last couple of times I've gone out to run - I haven't been able to keep it up.  I'm not sure why.  Probably just laziness.  Oh well, I'll get it together.  I'm sure Saturday will be different.  I won't let myself walk.  I'm hoping to pull off a personal best.  The thrill of competition will probably help. 

Well, wish me luck!  Hopefully come next Monday, there will be less of me!  Hopefully a more positive me - as I get back into the swing of things this week! 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

H2O Bottle

Last week I bought a new water bottle!  Super-exciting, I know.

I bought a Brita water bottle!  
Oh my word...it works.  I was surprised at how well it works!  
It's been helping me get in more straight up H2O than normal.  
I normally mix a lot of Crystal Light into my water.  
Since buying this - I haven't done that ONCE!  
Just thought I'd share!  

Day 2 of my 40 Day Walk With Jesus is in the books!  It was hard getting up this morning.
My hubby was off today - which made me want to snooze in bed longer with him.  However, I pulled it off just in the nick of time.  Tonight I actually went out for another run/walk.  Good stuff!  
I'm rockin' it this week... 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Weigh-In | 4.18.11

Down 1.2 lbs.  Not bad.  This week certainly wasn't stellar - by any means.

Lots of changes taking place in my life right now.  Nothing bad...but, my routine has been shifted, for sure.  First things first, I started a new position at work, and it's been quite a change of pace.  It has been hard to get my food logged like I used to...but, ya know, whatever.  I'm enjoying the change of pace.

Also new - my husband & I have changed churches.  Although we're excited about the change, there are more services to attend at the new church.  At our old church, there is a Sunday morning service and we also attended a home group (bible study) on Tuesday evenings.  At the new church, there's Sunday morning, Life group on Sunday evening, and Wednesday night service.  Ok...so, for a some of you - you're thinking, That's really not so odd.  I was used to that kind of routine/schedule at one point, so it's not going to be a major adjustment.  However, I'm still trying do all of that, but, I'm finding that my exercise routine is being adjusted as well.  Oh well, it's all worth it...and it's exciting.  'Cause God is totally in this whole thing.  Change is definitely refreshing. :)  At least to me, anyway.

With that being said.....look for a second post.  It's a kind of solution.........

Monday, April 11, 2011

Weigh-In | 4.11.11 (Short & Sweet)

I'm up 1.4 lbs. today.
I am not surprised.
I ate terribly last week (was sick & dealing w/TOM - if that's any offering of excuse).
I didn't exercise until the weekend.
It was too late...

Non-scale victory:  I ran 8 miles for the first time EVER!

Moving forward I am eating better this week.  I have already exercised twice today.  I took a 40 minute walk at lunch.  I went to an AWESOME Turbo Kick class tonight.  I sweated like mad & it was fabulous!  Ha!

Weight will be gone next Monday.  I WILL leave the 250s again by then.  Mark my words.

That is all.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Keep Going!

"Unless you puke, faint, or die - keep going!" 
~ Jillian Michaels ~
       
Today I went out for a run.  The weather was pretty good.  Warm - not super-sunny or anything, just nice.  Early on, I had a destination in mind.  I wasn't sure if I was going to reach it, but I wanted to try!  For those of you who live near me, I started at the state capitol (WV).  I was seriously thinking of running all the way down the boulevard to Patrick St.  Now, I wasn't sure what the mileage was, but, I knew it was going to be a LONG run.  Probably longer than I had EVER run.  I knew the mileage to a certain point, and knew I could totally bail when I got there.  It was about 5K (out & back).  Even if I did that, hey - that's still a good run!

I cranked my "Fee" Pandora station and hit the road.  I felt great.  I mean, seriously - I hadn't worked out AT ALL this week! I should've been feeling good...haha!  I've been sooo terrible this week.  Anyway, I easily made it to the 5K possible turn-around.  But.......I did decide to keep going.  I was feeling good... I had run up & down some steps along the river (for those unfamiliar - there's an upper & lower path), to dodge downed trees from all of our storms lately!  I was having fun!  However, at about mile 3... I was starting to poop out a little.  I knew I was hitting 5K - which is what I'm used to.  That's where the above quote kicked in.  "Unless you puke, faint, or die - keep going!"  I wasn't puking...obviously hadn't fainted or died....so, I kept going!  It was so hard!   I got to Patrick St. and was seriously thirsty.  I hadn't planned that part out well.  I ran over to Subway really fast - and a nice man gave me some water.  Awesome.  I chugged a few cupfuls and quickly did a Google map search to see my distance.  It was at 4 miles.  I wondered if I could run it back.  I knew I would be at 8 miles!  I thought that maybe I'd walk.....but I really wanted to run it!  

I went for it.  To keep myself running - I told myself - If you start to walk - you're going to run up each flight of stairs - TWICE!  (BTW - there's a lot of flights along that 4 mile stretch!).  So, I kept running!  And running....at Magic Island I ran all the way out around the island.  I didn't take the easy straight shot path!  I didn't take it easy on myself!  I was chased by a little yappy dog....and I swear - I almost tripped over that dog 3 times! Ha!  Finally some little girl came chasing after the dog and rescued me!  I should also mention - it started sprinkling at random times during the first part of the run - but kept stopping.  It was about this point that it started again.  I was probably a good 2 1/2 - 3 miles away from my car.  I started plotting stopping points........but kept running!   The sprinkling continued....and picked up.  By this point - it was pretty cloudy-looking.  I was about 1 1/2 miles away from the car when it started raining.  I couldn't help but think - Thanks God...that will definitely keep me going!  I don't want to get soaked.  That, and the quote kept me going. Finally, I could see capitol in the distance, and I just kept plugging away.  

It was NOT easy, by any means, but I did it!  When I got home - I mapped my route.  Sure enough - 8 miles!  Way more than I've ever run before!  I seriously feel great......and feel I'm already looking forward to running tomorrow!  Ha!  I'm so glad I stuck it out.  It's really cool to push yourself and see what you're capable of!  For anyone interested - I ran it in just under 2 hours.  Around 14 minute miles.  Not great, but I wasn't looking for speed today...just finishing what I'd started!

To some....this is not a big deal.  For me - it FIRES me up!  I'm already plotting... I'm thinking of trying out the "Bridge to 10K" training app.  I've looked at it, but didn't think I was ready for it.  Now I'm thinking it just might be time! :)

Hope you're having a great weekend!  


Friday, April 8, 2011

Slim Pickins'

Since spring is thisclose to actually "springing," I decided it was time to go skinny shopping again.  Here are some of my pics from Banana Republic & Anthropologie:




Anthropologie

I love the next two items.  I didn't pick them
to go together - but scrolling through, I thought, maybe?
What do you think?

Back Porch Blouse

Sugar Work Skirt
Sugar Work Skirt

I mean, losing weight - I need a cute new pair of jeans, right?
I'm more of a shirt kinda girl...typically don't worry about pants...but, what the heck...

J Brand Love Story Petite
J Brand Love Story Petite

And, it's almost that time...shorts! :)

L'aventure Shorts
L'aventure Shorts

Confession time:  I have NEVER worn a bikini.  EVER. 
When I get that small - it will seriously feel foreign to me.
With that in mind - I couldn't pass up this cute vintage-y suit! 

Natalie One-Piece
Natalie One-Piece

This cover-up is cute!  :)

Brainwaves Robe
Brainwaves Robe

Until next time!  Happy Spring everyone! :) Hopefully it has "sprung" where you are!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Weigh-In | 4.4.11

So it's Wednesday already?  Wow. 

Again, I apologize for my tardy post.  I really don't mean for it to happen that way.  However, I've been under the weather for about a week.  It's been kinda off-and-on, but it was "on" Sunday evening.  I lost my voice and felt pretty terrible.  I stayed home from work and finally went to the doctor on Monday.  I have laryngitis caused by allergies....who knew?  I've never really had problems with allergies.  Anyway, I took it easy Monday & Tuesday and decided not to post.  I did weigh-in on Monday, however.  The results weren't spectacular.  I'm up 1.2 lbs.  I weighed-in officially at the doctor at 250.  Boo!  Oh well.  Did I mention it was that time of the month?  Yeah.  No fun.  Sick...and that!

Anyway... I ran twice over the weekend.  I've been so busy doing Turbo Kick lately, that I hadn't made time to run.  I have yet to work out this week, though.  I was going to go to Turbo tonight, but, due to some pretty ridiculous traffic, I didn't make it home in time.  Plus, I'm just giving my body some time to rest & recuperate.  I'm gonna get back to it tomorrow, I believe.  Last week I had to cancel water aerobics with my friend - because of my sickies.  I think we're going to try again tomorrow.

I hate when I'm sick.  I mean, no one likes it.  BUT, it tends to make me throw caution to the wind and gives me an "excuse" to eat poorly.  I haven't been great this week.  At this point, I'm not expecting great things on Monday.  Maybe just maintenance.  We'll see.  Hopefully I'll start feeling better and can get fired up to move!  I'm tired of playing the slug this week.

I hope everyone's having a good week.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Weigh-In | 3.28.11

Woo hoo!  I had my biggest loss in a while.  Today I'm down 2.8 lbs!  Sooo close to 3!  :)  That puts me in the 240s, baby!  FINALLY!  It's amazing to me that it has taken me so long to lose 10 lbs!  I know plateaus happen, but, I'm not sure I've ever experienced one that lasted 4 months! 

It makes me think.  The last 4 months have been tough.  I stuck it out!  I totally could have quit by now!  Honestly, there have been days that thought has gone through my head.  Recently.  In the last week, even.  I'm not quitting, though.  Even though the scale has been kinda "stuck," I've definitely reaped some benefits!  Lately, I'm really seeing the difference.  Here & there...some places more than others.  It's kinda cool to walk by a mirror and think to yourself, "Whoa...wait a second."  I keep seeing glimpses of the person I'm becoming.  The skinny girl I've always wanted to be.

I see great differences in my fitness level.  In running - and as of right now, I haven't pushed myself much further than 5K.  As soon as this weather truly breaks, watch out!  I've done more than that before, but it has been a good 6 years.  I keep finding myself wondering where this road or that road leads.  What the mileage is.  I'm anxious to get out and explore a little past my neighborhood.  Turbo Kick has been helping a lot in the last week or so.  Tonight starts a full second week.  I'm planning on taking a water aerobics class later in the week.  I've never done it, but my friend invited me to try it.  I love the water, so I'm sure it will be good.  It's great to try new things and trick the body some!  At this point, I don't want it to get too comfortable!

So - I'm going strong... I'm not going anywhere but down!  Have a great week!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Idle Hands

So, I have been kind of kicking this idea around for a good while.  I love to eat.  Ya'll know that by now.  I'm a fatty!  I'm bad about snacking at night.  That's definitely when "mindless eating" strikes me.  I'll have a perfect day - and can blow it like CRAZY in the evening!  Ugh...stupid idle hands!

You see, one thing you may or may not know about me - is that I LOVE crafts.  Love, love, love, love loooooooove them.  I totally enjoy the satisfaction that comes with making something by hand.  Even more so - when it ROCKS!  I'm a HUGE fan of making something out of practically nothing.  I've been wanting to bring more of my personal life into this blog.  It does get kind of tiring writing about my diet and exercise all the time.  Well, what if I could incorporate crafts into the blog?  That's exactly what I'm going to do.  I'm going to tie up my idle hands with craftiness - and show YOU what I'm doing!  Maybe I'll inspire you to make something fun!?  It's not necessarily going to come from ideas of my own.  I follow a bunch of craft blogs.  It will be fun to feature their work!  However, I would love to share a tutorial of my own from time to time! 

The craft I'm going to start with (tonight...@ 11pm - ha!), is a cute little jersey knit bracelet that I wanted to make a while back.  I found the tutorial in my reader tonight (so glad they posted it again!), and thought, "Heh - Perfect!  This is literally going to tie up my hands!"  


Go check it out!  Let me know if you try this!  Post a picture on my Skinny Girl Set Free Facebook page!  Have you "liked" me over there yet?  What are you waiting on?!  If you're not into crafts, do you have a similar tip or trick to keep yourself from random munching at night (or anytime, really)??  Please share!  

Hmm...what color do should I make this in????




Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Weigh-In | 3.21.11

Argh - another late post!  I totally meant to post yesterday.  I usually post on my lunch on Mondays, but ended up doing something else.  So, I pushed it back until evening....and then when I actually remembered, it was just TOO LATE.  I was beat.

So, yesterday I weighed in 1 pound lighter!  I'll take that loss - although I was honestly looking for a higher number.  I weighed myself on Friday and was down over 3 lbs!  I was so excited.  I was pretty good on Saturday, but Sunday was a little different.  I didn't log my food, which was a tragic mistake.  Ha!  Now, I wasn't horrible...but, I wasn't great either.  My nephew's birthday party was Sunday - and I didn't plan very well - so, it is what it is.  It was a day of random snacking - with food that was hard to guess values.  Whatever....

In other news...................yesterday I was wearing a pair of pants that I couldn't get into a month ago!  Score!  Truth be told - they were tight on me Saturday!  But, I wore them to work yesterday - and it was nice.  Today.......... haha...I'm wearing a pair of pants that are TOO BIG!  They need to be retired, even though they're one of my favorites!  I'm glad to see these little things.  No lie - I'd really like to see the scale go down, but, hey... it's all about the inches!  That part is happening!

Last night my SIL debuted her new Turbo Kick class at the Brickhouse Cardio Club!  I'm pretty excited about this class - because I love the workout, AND it's close to home!  Last night was very basic - and I still burned 694 calories!  I can't wait for the full-out class tomorrow night! 

Well, that's about all I have at the moment... I hope you're all having a good week so far!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Weigh-In | 3.14.11

Oh friends... sometimes I think I'm never going to get out of the 250s. 

This week, I'd like to thank my friend, the Girl Scout cookie for keeping me in the 250s. 


Yep...these two are my favorite.  3 boxes of each.  All 6 are now gone.  Yeah.  Now, I will defend myself.......I did NOT single-handedly eat every one of these cookies.  I do have a husband...and he likes cookies.  I think we both demolished a box each on our own.  Me - Tagalongs.  Him - Thin Mints.  However, I put a hurtin' on 'em.  Stupid cookies.  I'm super-glad to support the Girl Scouts.  NOT happy to gain 1.2 lbs. this week.  No Girl Scout shoved cookies down my throat.  Let that be known.

Anyway......

I'm up 1.2 lbs.  This week.....mark my words.  I WILL LEAVE THE 250s.  Did I say that last week?  Maybe I did.  This week - it's gone.  I'm done.  This is BEYOND ridiculous!

I'm super-stoked about the time change that happened yesterday!  I know it's going to boost my activity!  I worked out twice yesterday!  I ran about 3 miles yesterday by myself.  Then, in the evening, I convinced my hubby to go do some laps around the track.  I'm gonna make a runner out of him....I think.  He had fun.  We just alternated running & walking some laps.  He wanted to challenge himself, so he just kind of took off and started running full-force.  He made it look soooo easy!  He's in great shape, really.  I'm hoping I can talk him into going with me more.  It would be an amazing thing for us to both like to run!  We're headed in the right direction!

I got a FABULOUS new pair of running shoes last week.  My runner friend, Marshall told me I would benefit from a "real" pair.  I've always gone to Kohl's or Shoe Carnival/Dept.  or somewhere like that.  He said they're cheaper, because they're made cheaply.  I went to a special running/walking shoe shop in our area (Robert's - if you're near me) and plunked down some cash for a new pair of Mizuno Wave Alchemy.  I LOVE THEM!  I was experiencing a little bit of knee pain when running - and now that's clear!  They are sooo cushy!  I'm so glad I splurged!  I can really, really tell a difference! Here they are!


I'm also gearing up to start taking some live Turbo Kick classes again starting this week!!  My sister-in-law teaches, and she's starting a new class close by!  I love it! :)

So... I know the activity level is picking up momentum... I'm ready to start shedding some pounds!!!  Eating IS going to be in-check this week!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Weigh-In | 3.7.11

No loss here today.  Annnnd no gain.  I maintained.  I'm ok with that today, I suppose. 

I had a great week!  This week I ran over 9 miles!  The weather was pretty "decent" this week.  I was able to get outside, and let me tell ya - I'm loving it!  I simply cannot wait until the weather REALLY breaks!  One night in particular - I went to the local track to run, and ended up seeing my doctor there.  You know, the one who wants me to have shed 30 lbs. by May?  Talk about motivation!  Ha!  I have yet to lose ten since January!  I have a lot of work left to do before May.  I know things are going to get better once the weather breaks and the time changes.  I am simply ITCHING to be outside more! 

Over the weekend, I had some encouraging things happen.  I went to my friend's son's birthday party - and was so happy to hear the emphatic words "You look great," upon entering!  It was a great feeling, and it was unexpected!  I'm not in it this thing for the compliments, but, wow.  They help!  Honestly, I'm not sure if it was the comments I got or what...but, when I got home that evening, I passed by a mirror and kinda did a double-take!  I literally passed by and backed up and looked again!  I can really see a difference in my upper body.  In and around my shoulders and upper back.  It's exciting!

Also, yesterday driving home from church - I felt very bored & restless...if that makes sense.  I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do...where I wanted to go...nothing.  I knew I should have made myself exercise, but the weather was too yucky for outdoor stuff!  I didn't want to work out at home, my gym was closed....and I just didn't.  I did, however go to the store.  I sucked it up...I hate going to the store!  I went, and bought lots of good stuff.  When I got home, I started putting things away - and this crazy urge struck me.  I have been so up in the air whether or not I really liked my Bodybugg or not.  I've mentioned before - the food-logging system leaves much to be desired.  I have known for a while that I just needed to sit down and plug in the foods I eat.  So, that's just what I did.  Practically every item in my house!  I got kinda lazy toward the end and left out a few condiments and jellies.  Wow.  Was that ever exhausting!?  While I was at it, I re-arranged my pantry and refrigerator!  I can find things!   I know what I have in the house.  I feel so much better about food right now!  The logging thing will need tweaked here and there, but I now feel like I can use my bugg like it's should be used.  It's unfortunate that it took so much work to get it there, though! 

So, I'm looking forward to this week!  I'm ready to kick it into high gear and lose some weight!  I'm soooo stinkin' tired of camping out in the 250s. 

Who's with me?  Are you going to have a good week?! :O)

Monday, February 28, 2011

Weigh-In | 2.28.11

Friends, I'm sorry I've been MIA so much lately!  I know my last post said I was burned out - and I was...briefly!  However, I'm back with a vengeance... haha. 

Today I was down from last week by 5.2 lbs.  I didn't quite get back every little bit, but it was close enough, I suppose.  Things will look even better next week, I'm sure.  On Friday, I turned 31.  Wow, that still feels weird, even after a year.  I sure don't feel thirty-one.  Anyway, I took the day off from work and didn't exercise.  I hung out with my husband and went to lunch.  Then I grabbed the new book he got me as a gift and headed to Starbucks and read for a while.  Here's the book:




So far, the book is really good.  As I sat at Starbucks with my huge Light Java Chip Frapp w/ Peppermint (thank you, Starbucks for the free celebratory treat), I quickly realized that it's more than just a book.  There were many thought-provoking questions for me to answer.  I found myself leaving to go buy a little journal to start writing in.  Some of what I read was familiar to me.  I've had some similar ideas in the last couple of months.  Perhaps I'll post more about this book in the next week or so?  I've been so busy the last couple of days and haven't had the chance to re-visit it!  I meant to bring it to work today so I could read on my lunch....but, I forgot.

In other news, when I walked out of the church doors yesterday, I was so, so, so happy to feel some WARM air!  The first thing I said to my husband was "I know what I'm going to do this afternoon!  He knows me well....he said, "Run!"  And run I did!  I went to the local track and timed myself running a 5K.  I hadn't ran that much in a while.  It was hard.  No lie.  I did it, though!  My time was 40:38.  I was a little surprised by my time.  I really thought it would be faster.  At the same time, it was empowering.  I did it!  I didn't push extremely hard for it or anything.  I just kept running.  Tracks are boring, but I really wanted to get a time on flat & easy terrain.  My neighborhood is quite hilly - so it probably wouldn't have been as good. 

Speaking of 5Ks, just before I started this post, I registered to run the local Susan G. Komen "Race For The Cure."  I'm so excited to do this!  Not so long ago, I lost an aunt to breast cancer.  Debbie was such a great woman and she is greatly missed.  I remember as a little girl, Debbie sat across from me at table and so seriously told me, "This is YOUR life, Jo Ann.  You can do whatever you want to do with it."  Pretty simple......but, somehow, I've never forgotten that.  Right now, I choose to be healthy.  That's what I want to do with my life.   Be healthy.  So, this one's for Debbie.  My 2nd ever 5K.  I'm going to work hard to prepare for it, and shave some time off.  I'm going to raise some money for a cure.

So friends, you haven't seen much of me lately, but, I'm still doing this thing.  I'm still bound and determined to make it happen!  Thanks for sticking around!

Oh - before I forget!  If you're a Facebook person...check out my new "Skinny Girl Set Free" page!  I'd LOVE it if you "liked" my page!  Come on over and see what's going on! :)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Burn Out!

Say it isn't so?!

Yes.  I'm burned out.  Can you tell?  Ugh.  Probably so.  I've lost some enthusiasm along the way lately.

Am I finished?  NOT A CHANCE!!!!  Right now I'm kind of evaluating what exactly needs changed and how I'm going to do it.  More on that later.

While I'm here, I'll go ahead and tell ya... I weighed in yesterday.  It wasn't pretty.  I was up 6 pounds.  Yep.  You read that right.  Wow.  I knew well in advance that I was NOT going to like the number on the scale.  I had a weird week.  Some it was emotional.  Nothing horrible...but, I ate my feelings a little bit.  Six pounds worth?  No way!  I worked out.  Not as hard as usual - but, I was far from sluggish.  Oh well.  I'm moving on.  I'm sure some of this will come off by next week.  We'll see.

Stay tuned... this ISN'T over.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Weigh-In | 2.14.11

First things first...I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day.  V-day is the reason I'm checking in late today.  I thought about posting yesterday.  I really did.  However, my hubby & I were both off all day - and I decided to let the blog world go for a day and just be with him.  We had a great time together.  We slept in, had breakfast, we had some delicious Thai for lunch.  Had some Starbucks.  We went to see the new Adam Sandler movie "Just Go With It."  We had Mexican for dinner.  Ice cream for dessert.  Some candy.  Can you say cheat day?  Yeaaaaah.  I overindulged just a little tiny bit. (Lie, lie, lie).  It was a lot.  I threw caution to the wind and let the fat girl eat yesterday.  It was fun - but I'm feeling the effects of it today.  Blech. 

In other news, you know....the reason I'm posting today... I'm down 1.2 lbs.  Not bad.  I'd love to see a bigger number, but, whatever.  It's coming off.  It's going to keep coming off.  On the 10th I hit 6 months on this journey!  Six months!  I've been here blogging about this 6 months?!  I'm going to see this thing through!  I don't know how long it's going to take, but, it's going to happen! :) 

Oh - while I'm at it, I should mention that I'm doing "ok" with my a.m. work out challenge.  Last week I bailed 3 days in a row...was SOOO sleepy!  This morning I got myself back in the game with some Turbo Jam.  So, it's coming....no major breakthrough with this challenge so far.  There's still time, though.  Who knows?

Monday, February 7, 2011

Weigh-In | 2.7.11

FINALLY, the number on the scale moved in a way I'm happy with!  I'm excited to report that I've now lost 30.4 lbs!  It took FOREVER to hit the big 3-0, it seems!  I was slightly holding my breath when I stepped on the scale today, though.  I didn't work out Saturday OR Sunday!  Plus, I had a great piece of wedding cake over the weekend and splurged on some yummy Mexican food as well!  I had been pretty darn good all week, though...with food & exercise, so I guess it all evened out.

I'm 3-for-3 with my A.M. Workout Challenge!  Thursday & Friday were pretty easy, but today....a different story!  I was LA-ZY! I kept hitting snooze until I couldn't do it any longer.  I did it, though.  I got up in just enough time to do a 20 min. Turbo Jam workout!  I'm going to the gym tonight, and I'm ready to hit it hard!  Can I just say, I really love to work out!  It may sound crazy to some, but I do!  I'll admit, there are days that I'm lazy.  However, I have found myself eagerly awaiting my gym time in the evenings lately! 

I've been noticing some visible changes lately - which has been encouraging.  I have to admit, I took my measurements this morning...and the ones I took 2 weeks ago HAVE to be off.  They showed me gaining inches!  Which is just not possible.  I have tightened my pants this week!  I have a couple nice pair of pants that have little flaps to adjust your pants.  I thought they were just for embellishment until recently! I tightened one pair, and the other was snug until today!  Sooo, I believe I will be taking a little more time with my measurements from now on.  They can't be right!

Well, that's all I have!  Good luck this week, everyone!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The A.M. Workout - A Challenge

The a.m. work out.  *Sigh*  Every morning my alarm sounds in time for me to get up and get in a work out.  And every morning - I hit snooze with a vengeance.  Over and over again.  I'm sooooo lazy!  I LOVE the way I feel after working out in the a.m.!  It energizes me!  It's completely different from a p.m. work out.  It's just so hard to get me there. 

So, after my success with the run challenge,  I have been feeling as if I need another challenge to push me.  Tonight as I was working out, I had an "a-ha" moment.  I am going to attempt to get up every morning of the work week and work out this month.  Starting tomorrow.  It is NOT going to be easy.  I'm hopeful that through this process, I'll learn to love or at least make a habit of working out in the a.m.

Here goes nothing...stay tuned.

Psst...would anyone like to give this challenge a go?  Let me know!

Weigh-In | 1.31.11

I know, this weigh-in post is a little tardy.  Let's get straight to the facts.  On Monday, I did weigh in.  I was down 0.4 lbs.  I was furious quite irritated that for the 2nd week in a row I had been down on Sunday, but back up on Monday.  I'm talking 3.5 lbs difference!!!!  I was down 4 pounds on Sunday!  Weight-loss makes no sense sometimes!

So, I kind of hit the ground running on Monday and have been meaning to post, but, man...life is crazy sometimes!  I'm not going to lie....I wasn't throwing a pity party for myself on Monday or anything, but, I just parked my rear on the couch and just didn't do anything.  No exercise.  No blog.  I was happy with that.  I haven't worked out since Saturday - and it's driving me nuts now.  I would really like to go to the gym tonight, but I have my Bodybugg coaching session.  Soo, it looks like I will most likely do some kind of DVD tonight.  I doubt I'll go back out to the gym....I wish it were a little closer.

In other news, being the compulsive weigher that I am... I did weigh myself this morning.  I am down 4.4 lbs from Monday!  See?  That's crazy!  So at the moment - I am down EXACTLY 30 POUNDS!  I am not going to count it as "official" right now.....I will see what next Monday's weigh-in says.  I think one reason I've been so annoyed is that I want to get past that hurdle.  I've been soooo close for so long.  I've been working out so hard - and haven't seen much of a difference.  It's maddening, I tell ya!  Haha!

So, you may ask, "Jo, do you have any non-scale victories at all?"  Well, I did finish my run challenge 8 days early.  I also have noticed my pants are a little loose this week.  It may sound silly, but I bent over to pick something up yesterday and thought, "Hmm...that felt different..."  It was easier somehow.  Hmm.

That is all.  Hope you're all doing great this week!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

30-in-30 Run Challenge FINISHED!

Woo hoo!  I finished the 30-in-30 Run Challenge over at MapMyRun today!  I ran the final 3 miles today under a big, open, beautiful, & sunny sky!  NOT in the gym - as I had planned.  It was warm enough out for me to wear a short-sleeved shirt!  I was super-happy!  Also....can I brag just a little?  I did it with 8 days to spare!  Plus, once I logged my miles - I randomly looked at the leaderboard.  Of the participants who started the day I did - I came in 7th!  5th amongst the women!  COOL!

So, yeah...I've run a lot this month!  I definitely made up for lost time!  My hip feels great, and I'm sooo BACK!  It feels great to have finished this challenge!  I'm already trying to figure out what to do next month!  I really found that having an actual goal for exercise helped me this month.  Had it not been for the challenge, I doubt that I would have run all those miles.

Does anyone know of any good challenges out there?  I know that MapMyRun has a few other challenges going on in conjunction with the run challenge I just completed.  I need to check them out...hmm...
If you run across a good one, let me know!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

I've Been Bugged...


Yup, you read right, I've been bugged.  I finally broke down and bought a Bodybugg.  I've been wanting one for months, but just wasn't sure I needed one.  It came in Monday, and I was super-excited to get it.  I spent all evening trying to figure out the ins & outs of it. 

First off, it was slightly amazing to me to realize I had burned 800+ calories while I slept.  I purchased the model that syncs with my iPhone, so I can keep tabs on things pretty easily.  I wore it to work yesterday, of course...and my calorie burn & number of steps definitely surprised me.  They recommend 10,000 steps per day.  I thought I would have trouble meeting that.  However, I totally exceeded it!  I'm really anxious to see what kind of things I find out once I wear it a few days.  I'm supposed to have a coaching session after 7 days of wearing the armband - and I'm really hoping the session is informative.  There are many things I'm not real sure about. 

To be honest, at the moment - I'm not impressed with the food logging system.  I've continued logging with MyFitnessPal so far.  I just logged my food as a lump sum of calories per meal instead of logging every item.  I have only found 2 things I eat in the database so far.  Everything else I have had to manually add to the system.  I do NOT have time for that!  Ha!  Maybe I'm missing something, though.

I was anxious to work out while wearing the armband.  Last night I did a little Turbo Kick, and the results were conflicting.  I checked my total at the beginning and end and got one total.  Then, when I actually synced the bugg with the computer I got a different total!  300+ calories difference!  So, it looks like I definitely need that coaching session...

Anyone want to weigh-in on the Bodybugg?

Monday, January 24, 2011

Weigh-In | 1.24.11

I hate these posts.  Not the weigh-ins.  The weigh-ins when I'm UP.  Even more than that, I hate the weigh-ins when I'm up....and it doesn't make sense.

I'm up 1.4 lbs today.  I was seriously shocked when I stepped on the scale this morning!  Yesterday, I was DOWN almost 2 lbs!!!  I mean, don't get me wrong, I have some theories on this - but, I don't know have a real reason.  To list a few - muscle gain, sodium, TOTM? 

It's a little disheartening to know that I worked out SO hard and didn't enjoy a loss!  Seriously, I logged 374 minutes of exercise this week.  My goal is 210 per week.  I also burned 4462 calories (how many calories is in a pound? Huh?  Huh?).  My goal is 1950!  I ate pretty well this week.  There is always room for improvement, but, I really did well! 

Ok...scrap that.  First off, I know that in the next week or so, I'm most likely going to enjoy a bigger loss than usual.  Darn that delayed gratification!!!!  So many emotions come out when stuff like this happens.  Weight-loss is a mystery....it doesn't always happen the way we think it should.  I must dust myself off, lace up those running shoes and get moving again this week.  The same way I would if the scale had shown a loss. 

God has been speaking to me a lot lately about this weight-loss journey I'm on.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He is helping me.  I've given this all to Him.  Yesterday, during worship at church, a song we sang spoke to my heart.  It has many meanings to me, and I'm going to share some lyrics here: 

Healer
by Hillsong

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands


Yesterday I just cried out and sang this from the bottom of my heart.  I really feel that obesity is a disease.  God is going to heal me of it!  I feel it!  I know with every fiber of my being that I will be freed of this!  We may at times feel like things are impossible for us, but as this song says, nothing...NOTHING is impossible for Him!  I'm so grateful that when it comes down to it, my biggest "cheerleader" in this, is God.  I have felt Him pushing me...rooting me on lately.  It's an amazing feeling!  I have to do my part, though.  That means picking myself up today and moving!  It means eating as well as I can possibly manage!

You know, I have to thank every one of you who are reading.  I see my stats and know that people are reading.  I'm so happy you're all here!  I see supportive comments and they help me so much!  Thank you all!  They really make my day and keep me going!  This blog has been one of the best things I've ever done in dealing with weight-loss.

Well, today is a new day, in a brand-new week!  Wish me luck!

Jo









Saturday, January 22, 2011

New Record!


Oh my word!  I burned MORE calories than what this heart rate monitor is showing (let my friend borrow it at first)!  Ha!  Even if that was my total - it would have been a record high!  I had an AMAZING day at the gym!!  Grand total for the day?
2399! 
Yeah, oddly enough - I was 1 calorie shy of 2400! 

I was at the gym for about 4 hours!  I started out working with my friend, Laci.  When she finished up, I decided to stay longer.  I thought, maybe an hour more?  That turned into almost THREE more hours!  I've been called insane more than once today!  Maybe I am?  I just felt really good today and decided to take advantage of the extra energy!

I worked out on the elliptical(unrecorded 374 cals), ran, did strength training, walked, and did some exercises with a medicine ball!  I feel like a beast!  It's great!

One thing that helped me was watching "I Used To Be Fat" on MTV.  It happened to come on, and I zoned in on it.  It was pretty motivating to see someone's journey unfold in front of you.  The added bonus was the trainer pushing the girl on today's show!  I found myself working harder when he was pushing her!  Woo hoo!  I'm going to have a "I Used To Be Fat" story of my own soon!

Oh, I mentioned that I ran today - I ran 4 miles!  I have 17 of 30 miles complete with 16 days left in my challenge!  I'm definitely going to finish this challenge, even if it's not the way I had intended to finish it!  Maybe.....just maybe....I'll win that iPad?  Never know....

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back on Monday for weigh-in!  Looking for a good number this week!  Fingers crossed!




Slim Pickins

Good morning!  I needed a little extra motivation to go workout this morning....so I decided to go "skinny shopping" again!  This time I went to:


Asymmetric Cascade Dress

Colorblock Racer Tank - BEBE SPORT

Colorblock Racer Tank - BEBE SPORT 

I picked this 'cause I thought, "This skinny girl will still work out!"  P.S.  I've always wanted to be one of those girls you see running in a sports bra...(I mean...a "modest" one, ya know?)


Rosette Silk Dress

Rosette Silk Dress


Rosette Strapless Top

with Glamour Long Blazer over it (site suggestion)

Aaaaah...I'm SUCH a girly girl.  I love it!  I guess I just love rosettes & ruffles!!  These are the things that struck me most at bebe.  I'm off to go burn some major calories now!  :)

Have a great weekend!
Jo




Thursday, January 20, 2011

13/30 - Run Challenge

I fell off the wagon on Monday with the run challenge.  I had the WHOLE day off, and I did nothing.  It was amazing, no lie.  I had grand plans of taking some time out to go for a long run.  It didn't happen.  I stayed parked on the couch with my hubby and we watched hours of Netflix.  Hours and hours.  Ha!  Around 8 pm, I started feeling a little guilty.  By this time it was dark and I was kinda bummed that I had "wasted" the whole day.  However, I started to gear up - and it starts raining.  Yeah...like I want to go out now!  I start thinking of the dog down the street that keeps freaking me out.  I worry that he's going to bite me.  Ugh.  His owners had another dog that bit me a year or so ago and they weren't so concerned/helpful.  So, yeah...it wasn't but about 5 minutes and I was parked on the couch once again watching Netflix.

I "didn't have it in me" yesterday either.  I had home group (bible study) after work and once I was home, I was "done."  Ha. I totally could have gone for a run, but decided against it.

In saying all of this, as of tonight, I'm caught up!  I went to the gym with my friend, Laci, and ran a very boring 3 miles on the treadmill without music (gasp)!  My headphones weren't working!  Surprisingly, it went by quickly...... :)  Now I'm debating whether to finish the challenge as I had intended (1 mile per day for 30 days), or just get in 30 miles - no matter how it's broken down? 

Decisions, decisions. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

Weigh-In | 1.17.11

Minus 2 pounds.  Holiday weight NOT gone after all.  Oh well.  Almost. :)

I've worked pretty hard this week.  I've been running a mile every day.  Some days I did more that, but most days that was my only exercise.  I ate well this week, too.  There's always room for improvement, but, it was a great week for me!  I still feel like I'm back in the groove.  I'm going to work harder this week!

I went to the doctor on Friday.  When I saw him in November for my hip, he wanted to do some blood work.  My blood pressure was up that day.  He wanted to check some things out.  On Friday, everything checked out well.  BP was good as well as the blood work.  I was relieved.  I will see him again in May, and he told me that he would like to see 32 lbs. gone by then.  So, there's one goal to add to my "goals" page.  I WILL meet it!  Hopefully, I can exceed it! :) THAT would be awesome! 

I hope you all have a great week!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Tales of a Compulsive Weigher

You guys all know by now that I weigh myself all the time.  Right?  Sometimes multiple times a day.  It's kind of silly.  There are times that I wish I could just hop off the scale on Monday, and not step foot on it again for an entire week.  With me, that just doesn't happen.  I have to know progress.  Am I headed in the right direction?  Am I headed in the wrong direction?  Is that meal I screwed up yesterday showing up today????   Even when I see what I don't want to see, it typically doesn't affect me negatively.  9 times out of 10, there's still time to correct it.  I guess it keeps me focused?

In fact, today was awesome!  I hopped on the scale this morning, and to my utter AMAZEMENT - I was down 3 pounds!  Seriously?!?  I was overjoyed!  Almost all of the holiday bulk is gone????  Wow.  I'm very anxious to see if that number holds, or even drops by Monday.  We'll see. 

Are there any other compulsive weighers out there?  How does it affect you?